2024 Genesis GV70 vs 2023 Audi Q5

The 2023 Audi Q5 presented a blend of elegance and sportiness with its exterior design, characterized by subtle curves and angular accents. It was available in two body styles: the standard Q5 SUV and the Q5 Sportback, which featured a sloping rear roofline for a sleeker look. Despite the typical reservations about coupelike styling, the Q5 Sportback stood out with a spoiler-like element above the taillights, providing a more defined transition from the hatch to the upright tail section. Inside, the Q5 offered a refined yet simple layout, though its age was beginning to show. Standard features included leather seating and heated front seats, with options for a heated steering wheel and rear seats. The 10-inch touchscreen was a nod to traditional design amidst a trend of larger screens, and while materials were of good quality, the Q5 no longer felt as special compared to newer non-luxury competitors. The build quality was robust, with no squeaks or creaks, making it a solid choice among luxury SUVs.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 distinguished itself within the Genesis lineup and among competitors with its sleek design and standout details. It retained Genesis' signature split headlights and large grille for brand recognition, while offering a sleeker profile than its larger sibling, the GV80. The GV70's styling effectively balanced SUV presence with luxury-car finesse, unlike some competitors that struggled with proportions. The Electrified GV70 maintained the same styling as its gasoline counterpart, with a unique grille housing the charge port for convenience. Inside, the GV70's interior was memorable for its distinctive design elements, such as quilted Nappa leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof. The climate controls and infotainment system featured unique designs, including a rotary controller reminiscent of sci-fi aesthetics. The dashboard's rounded cross-section added to the interior's distinctiveness, showcasing Genesis' effort to offer something different.

The 2023 Audi Q5 offered three engine choices. The base 40 TFSI was a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The midrange 45 TFSI increased output to 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, and was the sole engine for the Q5 Sportback. The 55 TFSI was a plug-in hybrid powertrain delivering 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an estimated 23 miles of electric-only range. All Q5s featured a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard Quattro all-wheel drive. The Q5 Sportback with the 45 TFSI engine experienced a delay in power delivery due to the transmission, making initial acceleration feel sluggish. However, once underway, power was adequate, and handling was sporty, instilling confidence on curvy roads. The Q5 balanced compliance and cornering well, with a quiet engine and minimal road noise, providing a calm cabin experience.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 retained its powertrain options, with the gasoline model offering a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with 375 hp and 391 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The Electrified GV70 featured front and rear electric motors producing a combined 429 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a "Boost Mode" providing 483 hp for short bursts. While the GV70 offered strong straight-line acceleration, its chassis tuning didn't match the sportiness of some rivals, feeling heavier and slower through corners. The suspension was reasonably comfortable but tended to crash over bumps. The Electrified model maintained similar handling characteristics despite its additional weight. It also featured adjustable regenerative braking, allowing for one-pedal driving. The Electrified GV70 offered a 236-mile range, making it a viable choice for those seeking an EV.

The 2023 Audi Q5's interior design had remained largely unchanged since 2018, yet it continued to hold up well. The infotainment touchscreen was strategically placed atop the dash for reduced distraction, and traditional dials and buttons were provided for climate controls. Visibility was good, aided by a narrow front roof pillar, and the rear view was better than average. The front seats offered ample space for taller passengers, and the rear seats accommodated six-footers comfortably, even in the Sportback model. Storage options were available, though some were oddly sized. The Q5 provided 25.8 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly reduced to 24.7 cubic feet in the Sportback, while competitors like the BMW X3 and Genesis GV70 offered more space.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered comparable interior space to its rivals, with slightly less headroom but more front-seat legroom than some competitors. The GV70's 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space was better than the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and slightly more than the BMW X3, though less than the Audi Q5. Folding the rear seats provided 56.9 cubic feet of space, less than its German rivals. The Electrified GV70's interior space was minimally impacted by the battery pack, with slight reductions in legroom and headroom. The GV70's stylish interior design came at the cost of small-item storage, though it included a dedicated phone storage nook and rear-seat climate controls. The Electrified GV70 featured automatic side bolsters for the front seats, enhancing support during spirited driving.

The 2023 Audi Q5 came standard with a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring sharp graphics and quick responses, though it took time to boot up and activate Apple CarPlay. Both CarPlay and Android Auto were available wirelessly. Higher trims included a Bang & Olufsen audio system. The on-screen buttons in Audi's system were large and easy to read, though Apple CarPlay's app buttons were smaller and closer together. The Q5 could be monitored remotely via a smartphone app, with features like unlocking and temperature pre-conditioning available through Audi Connect Care. Mid-range trims offered a customizable digital instrument panel.

The 2024 Genesis GV70's infotainment system, while simpler than those in the BMW X3 or Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, was user-friendly. It featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Lower trims had an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, while higher grades offered a 12.3-inch unit with a 3D effect. A 12-inch head-up display and a 16-speaker Lexicon audio system were available. The touchscreen had an intuitive layout, and a rotary controller on the center console provided an alternative control method. Genesis included a fingerprint scanner for driver profiles and digital key functionality, allowing a phone to replace the key fob.

The 2023 Audi Q5 received top safety ratings, earning five stars from the NHTSA for overall, frontal, and side protection, and four stars in rollover tests. The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick+ with "Good" scores in all crashworthiness tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and parking sensors. Higher trims added features like lane-keep assist, a surround-view camera, and traffic jam assist. The top Prestige trim offered matrix-design LED headlights, a head-up display, and a semi-automated parking system.

The 2024 Genesis GV70, both gasoline and Electrified versions, received the IIHS' Top Safety Pick+ award. NHTSA ratings for the 2024 model were incomplete, but the gasoline model received four-star frontal and rollover ratings, with the 2023 model earning a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and Highway Driving Assist. The Highway Driving Assist 2 system added automated lane-change capability and blind-spot monitoring. Genesis also offered a safe exit assist function and a radar-based rear occupant alert system.